PITTSBURGH, PA—Maestro Jakub Hrůšahas withdrawn as conductor of this weekend’s concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in order to return to his family in the Czech Republic, as a result of that government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maestro Daniel Meyer has been engaged to conduct this weekend’s concerts, which will continue as scheduled with soloist Alina Ibragimova, in her Pittsburgh Symphony debut.

“We’re so disappointed that Jakub Hrůša will not be able to join us this weekend, but understand why he needs to withdraw and return to his family. We look forward to welcoming him to our stage for a future engagement,” said Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “Our concert schedule continues as planned at this time and we are fortunate to be able to bring Daniel Meyer, an audience favorite, to the podium this weekend. As we look ahead, we are working with all of our guest artists to determine their availability based upon the new government directives with regards to travel, and will update the community as we have any new information.”

Daniel Meyer became available on short notice as the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra made a decision on March 11 to postpone their concert this weekend that had engaged Meyer as conductor.